Hood Council Meeting: Patar 2001

Hood Council Meeting

Patar 2001

Attendees: Fiona Kent, Carmela Herendez, Rebecca Wilsonoff, Johan Shazad, Julio Wilsonoff

The hood council meeting comes to a start with Rebecca Wilsonoff noting the collection from the recent tax day.

"§61,000 was collected from registered Apple Valley residents while §150,000 was collected from tourist fees and usage fees. A grand total of §211,000 is available until 2004 when another tax collection will be due."


Fiona opens the floor for proposals from each council member.

"Personally, I would love to see a theater for the children and residents. We need more culture options in the hood. Let's start with Carmela."



Carmela agrees. "My proposal does include a theater. Two in fact. An amphitheater at the Alisa Crawston Park for casual outdoor performances and another formal theater on Apple Valley Metro for more classical performances like ballet and violin concerts."

Fiona nods, "This would go very well with the musuem you proposed the other day, Rebecca. Perhaps you and Carmela can meet and combine your proposals. Let's see if we can save some money by combining them."

Johan nods. "I hope to see both buildings soon. The children need more exposure to culture and life. I can provide them with the basics such as algebra and simlish history, but I would like to start increasing the field trips for the children beyond the school yard."

"Before we can even think about more field trips," Julio interrupts. "We need to give parents the tools they need for raising thier children. I see so many children in the clinic for simple reasons that education of our parents could have avoided...dehydration, lack of exercise and the all too common 'sitting in front of the tv-itis'."

Carmela agrees. "My last report on the aging and health of the hood reflected the same thing. I agree that money should be spent on parent education as well as ensuring that our children are exposed to healthy alternatives besides sugary snacks and TV shows."

"Didn't we just install vending machines in the school?" Fiona asked Rebecca and Johan. "Are we contributing to the problem?"

Rebecca nodded. "We still can't justify hiring a full time cook for the school lunches and encourage students to bring thier lunch. However, if a student forgets thier lunch, we need to provide some form of substance even if it is a sugary drink. The extra simoleans are going towards the school as well. Correct, Johan?"

Johan nodded. "The money does help with minor repairs and school supplies. Speaking of repairs, Lyndon couldn't make it to the meeting and asked me to present his proposal. If that's ok?"

"Continue."

"The church is in desperate need of a renovation. The space is too small for weddings and Lyndon proposes adding a second floor for wedding celebrations and a small banquet hall. Also, the graveyard is in need of more landscaping and better lighting."

Fiona nodded.

"Any one else would like to add anything to the meeting?"

"Yes," Carmela spoke up. "We still need a place where pet owners can take thier animals."

"Any other proposals, please submit them before the next meeting."

Results of the meeting

Church renovation=§15,000

Adapting existing parks with pet facilities=§7,000

Apple Valley Metro Theater=§50,000

Alisa Crawston Amphitheater=§5,000

Pet Registration Festival=§1,000

Apple Valley Children's Park=§50,000

Total Budgeted For=§128,000

Remaining=§83,000

Financial Director: Jonagold Shoppes

I'm pleased to annouced the grand opening of the Jonagold Shoppes I and Jonagold Shoppes II. I am posting exclusive photos of Jonagold Shoppes II, located behind Daniels Row near the main ferry road.

Residents can expect to find lots of shops targeting various hobbies and interests. There is the Bohemian Books, where many sims find themselves discussing the latest books or films. Culinary Cooks Rock, a cooking school and showcase for the best cooks to compete in cooking competitions. An indoor sports arena, dance hall, stand-up comedy club, gym and my personal favorite, a two level artists studio specializing in classes in pottery, sewing, painting and toy construction.

Jonagold Shoppes I features stores for the basic shopping needs of our residents.

Financial Notes: Economy Slowing

The economy has been slowing and many residents are making cutbacks, some business owners are selling thier businesses to access the capital in exchange for simoleans, which means some sims will be out of jobs.

Thankfully we have met and have a plan for the hood to survive these changes.

• Residents will move to gated communities. These homes are more affordable with 7 simday leases and allow for more intimacy in the hood with residential relations. This also allows residents to tap into thier home equity to free up cash reserves. This is not an option, residents are expected to be moved into a home by simTuesday (except for the Grey family).
• Business owners will have the option to consolidate thier businesses and/or sell them for the value of thier business. The remaining business lots will be consolidated to free up land space from the 1x1 lots to 2x1 and 3x1 lots. (Similar to Simmington Hill's Cedar Street Shops). This allows business owners to free up cash reserves.
• Residents will recieve 3 simdays of free ferry fare to Apple Valley Metro in order to find jobs.
• Career Capping will be instated: there will be a limited number of spaces available in each career track (2 sims per track) and once full no sims can take up a career in that path until a vacancy becomes clear. Once a vacancy is noted, the sim with the higher skills, interests, etc will be hired. Sims may still apply for jobs with local businesses to no limit.
• Welfare is still available for needy sims. Residents can apply for welfare options.

Financial Director: Plans

Here are my plans for the term.

Local businesses and associated laws

• Establish a program for New Small Business Owners:
  Give new business owners $1000-$3000 credit towards purchase of a community lot.
  Help business owners network with other small business owners in other hoods, perhaps the resurgance of the Small Business Conference.


• Establish a shareholder system for small businesses
  
• Establish a plan for business certificates.
  Business owners must purchase business certificates for a cost. The certificate must be displayed at all times due to random checks. A file will be kept in the administrative offices.


• Economic Research
  Research the wages of local workers and note the averages. Set a minimum wage based on averages from expenses and poverty lines.
  
• Increase of job options due to Apple Valley Metro opening up.

Implement taxes and welfare support

• Continue current tax structure.

Manage the local real estates and architectural planning of the hood

• Gated Communities
  With the new deal signed, look into creating gated communities within the hood so that families can interact on a more intimate basis. Will include a luxury gated community, attached townhomes. This will free up land space for parks, community lots and better school. All residents will move into these gated communities except for the Grey family as they must manage thier farm and provide the hood with fresh produce.
• Single Sim Housing
  With the new apartment complexes being built on Apple Valley Metro, single sims and recent graduates will be able to find cheaper housing. This will also allow the hood to allow more immigration.
• Retirement Community
  Many elder sims do not wish to be a part of the day-to-day activities in thier home now that thier children are adults. A retirement community is planned so that they may enjoy thier golden years doing what they enjoy.

Cashier Job Security and Business Restructing

Cashier Job Security

There is a major fear that with the new automated register machines that many sims will be out of a job. After talking with several business owners and reaching a compromise, the fear will be unfounded, especially once the business restructuring is complete.

Old Position->New Position

Cashier @ CupaJava -> Robot Crafter @ Toy Shoppe

Cashier @ Toy Shoppe -> Musician @ "unnamed" jazz club

Cashier @ Farmer's Market -> Flower Arranger @ Farmer's Market

Cashier @ Blossom Salon -> Massuese @ Blossom Salon

Cashier @ AV Bank -> Sales Manager @ AV Bank

Cashier @ AV Gift Shop -> Bartender @ "unnamed" irish sports bar

Cashier @ Medical Centre -> Pharmacist Trainee @ Medical Centre

Business Restructing

We have decided to restructure the main throughway of the hood. Instead of four large 3x1 lots that hold businesses, we are dividing the land into 12-1x1 lots. The new shops will resemble a "main street" style shop (see "Yale Lock Shop"). Business owners will have the opportunity to trade in thier 3x1 lots for 3-1x1 lots, or sell back to the hood the unneeded lots. With this change comes the change that business lots may only hold one business (no more diner/club/store/salon). Construction will begin this simday so that the project can be completed before the new council takes over.

So far we have gotten the following agreements:

R.Wilsonoff: Toy Shoppe; The Peacock; The Green Tables (gaming hall); "unnamed" teen arcade & hangout (selling back 2-1x1 lots)

S.Warwick: CupaJava; "unnamed" irish sports bar; "unnamed" jazz club

A. Herendez: Blossom Salon; Herendez Gallery; un-named Clothing Boutique

Financial Director Note: Budget Funds

I propose that the budget have funds established in the budget item for the following areas and managed by the following staff members:



General Fund
-Hood President

Covers expenses for foreign alliances, council administration, immigration/emigration, welfare.



Economic Development Fund

-Financial Director

Covers expenses for local trades and stores, home businesses, imports.



Community Development Fund

-Community Director

Covers expenses for culture, focal farming & fishing, general beautifying (plants, landscape, community lots)



Education Fund

-Education Director

Covers expenses for the administration of the academy & apprenticeship guild



Security Fund

-Security Director

Covers expenses for local infrastructure, security, & justice


Public Health Fund

-Medical Centre Director

Covers expenses for the adminstration of the Medical Centre



Archives/Technology Fund

-Archives/Technology Officer

Covers expenses for the community library and archives, press relations, website, electronic infrastructure



This will allow directors to have more control over thier funds for thier projects. This also creates the need for directors to present budget proposals in addition to task proposals at the start of thier term. An initial budget meeting will determine which items are funded and which are not. Some income from the hood residents will go directly to certain funds (ie-payment for security monitering goes to the security fund; tuition payments for the apprenticeship guild goes to the education fund; etc)

Hood Council Note: Professional Jobs

Residents are upset about the lack of "professional" jobs in the hood. For my purposes, I've defined "professional" to mean a job that requires a university degree or advanced training not readily available. I've done a survey and discovered the following:

• The Medical Centre requires a university degree to be eligible for a job.
  Medical Centre Director-Pre-Medical Biology or Psychology degree
  Nurse-Psychology degree
  Pharmacist-Natural Science degree
  Surgeon-Pre-Medical Biology degree
  


• Some Civic Employees are required to hold degrees pertaining to thier position.
  Hood Council President-Pre-Law or Political Science degree
  Hood Council Financial Director-Economics or Business Administration degree
  Hood Council Community Director-Psychology degree
  Educational Director-Education degree
  Archives/Technology Officer-Literature or Engineering or History degree
  Police Officer-Pre-Law or Political Science degree
  Pastor-none
  


• Business Owners require the following skills/degrees for jobs
  
  CupaJava
  

  Barista-none
  Cashier-silver register badge or Business Administration degree
  Baker-cooking experience of level 5 or higher
  Sales-silver sales badge or Business Administration or Psychologydegree

The Toy Shoppe

Crafter-silver toy making badge
Cashier-silver register badge or Business Administration degree
Sales-silver sales badge or Business Administration or Psychology degree

Fresh Flora

Crafter-silver flower making badge
Cashier-silver register badge or Business Administration degree
Sales-silver sales badge or Business Administration or Psychology degree

The Peacock

Host-silver sales badge or Business Administration or Psychology degree
Server-none
Chef-cooking experience of level 5 or higher
Musician-creativity experience of level 6 or higher or Music degree

The Blossom Salon

Cashier-silver register badge or Business Administration degree
Sales-silver sales badge or Business Administration or Psychology degree
Hair Stylist-silver cosmetology badge or Technical Theatre degree
Masseuse-none

Based on the results, it seems like there is a fair mix of professional level jobs, technical skill level jobs and even jobs that require no experience. I am forwarding the results of the study to the Educational Director so that he may make changes to the curriculm to prepare the next generation of citizens for work in the hood.

Financial Director Notes: New Director's Plan

Since I am the new Financial Director for the interim, I have made updates and changes to the plan.

Local businesses and associated laws

• Establish a program for New Small Business Owners:
  Give new business owners $1000-$3000 credit towards purchase of a community lot.
  Help business owners network with other small business owners in other hoods, perhaps the resurgance of the Small Business Conference.


• Establish a plan for business certificates.
  Business owners must purchase business certificates for a cost. The certificate must be displayed at all times due to random checks. A file will be kept in the administrative offices.

Implement taxes and welfare support

• Establish a program for Mortgage Loans:
  Borrower must provide at least 10% down paymentLoans must be paid off within 42 simdays (six simweeks) Payments will be daily.


• Increase rental fees:
  Increase rental fees on the Starr Grey Townhomes (two-2 unit townhomes on McIntosh) due to promixity to main strip. No longer necessary


• Change tax structure:
  Instead of $750/simweek per residental lot, increase it to $750/simweek per family. Removes loophole where families in multi-family housing paid less in taxes than other residents.

Manage the local real estates and architectural planning of the hood

• Decrease number of multi-family units from 10 to 4


• Build mixed income housing area:


• Renovate Pavilion


• Build Celebration Park II


• Revamp Celebration Park I


• Combine Celebration Park I and II


• Expand Modern Sculpture Park


• Renovate The Core

Hood Council Note: Budget

Should we publish the budget? Time moves by so slowly here in the hood and we keep a budget for each simweek. I suppose publishing it won't hurt-it will help residents realize where the money is going and how much things cost. That would help residents be more trusting of the hood council and our desicions to better the hood.

Hood Council Note: Stock Market

Should Apple Valley create a local stock market? That was the question posed to me. It would help business owners with limited funds, but there is a loan program for them-which reminds me, should we manage business loans the same way as mortgages (using Monique's bill payer system). That would help in terms of new deals which have a tendency to wipe out old accounts and loans.


I'll did a survey amoung small business owners and found out the following:

-there are 5 community businesses owned by residents
--The Toy Shoppe
--CupaJava
--Herendez Art Gallery
--Tati's
--The Farmer's Market
--Fresh Flora



-there are 2 municipal businesses owned by the hood
--The Centre
--The Medical Centre


-there is 1 homebased businesses
--Apple Valley Historical Church Gift Shop


The municipal and home-based businesses had no desire for shareholders. Of the community lot businesses, there was little desire for shareholders. Mostly the businesses operate with business loans.

--The Toy Shoppe-$0 loan
--CupaJava-$0 loan
--Herendez Art Gallery-$0 loan
--Tati's-$10,000 loan
--The Farmer's Market-$3000 loan
--Fresh Flora-$12,000 loan

Total: $25,000 in business loans



At this time do not recommend a stock market, instead a simple listing of businesses and thier customer service scores and rank would suffice. This is done with the Yellow Pages service from Simmerville.

Hood Council Note: Hood Employees

The hood has several employees-most are paid according to a basic salary and fee, but others (like the pastor and teacher) are paid differently:

The Centre
Bank Teller (fair salary scaled based on skill/badges)
Newspaper Editor (fair salary scaled based on skill/badges)
Welcome Center Cashier/ Travel Guide (fair salary scaled based on skill/badges)

The Medical Centre
Medical Center Director (fair salary scaled based on skill/badges)
Nurse (fair salary scaled based on skill/badges)

AV Historical Church
Pastor (flat salary + benefits)

AV Secondary Academy
Principal/Administrator (flat salary + benefits)

The hood has numerous job openings-thinking about giving talks and assesment tests to the teenagers and university students to help them realize where they would fit into the hood's economy. Will talk to Rayne about this venture since it falls under her duties.

Hood Council Note: New Lot

The Garden Association met with me today. They presented a proposal for a botonical garden. The garden would reside on a lot as small as 2x2 to as large as 3x3. In addition to the numerous flowers, plants and walking paths, there would be a greenhouse (with a space for weddings), stage for performances.


The club even had a mock-up design of the garden with a japenese garden, country cottage garden, space for the stage, and coffee shop.


They emphasized that this would not duplicate the purpose of Celebration Park in that the botanical gardens would be mostly educational, an area for beautiful weddings and special events such as concerts. Which Apple Valley does need.


I reviewed thier proposal and looked at some numbers. Also I have determined a suitable location for the site-and the site is now nearing final construction.

Hood Council Note: Financial Director Update

Update on Plans-need to start thinking about new set of plans now that the new deal is signed.

Local businesses and associated laws

• Establish a program for New Small Business Owners:
  Give new business owners $1000-$3000 credit towards purchase of a community lot.
  Help business owners network with other small business owners in other hoods, perhaps the resurgance of the Small Business Conference.

Implement taxes and welfare support

• Establish a program for Mortgage Loans:
  Borrower must provide at least 10% down paymentLoans must be paid off within 42 simdays (six simweeks) Payments will be daily.


• Increase rental fees:
  Increase rental fees on the Starr Grey Townhomes (two-2 unit townhomes on McIntosh) due to promixity to main strip.


• Change tax structure:
  Instead of $750/simweek per residental lot, increase it to $750/simweek per family. Removes loophole where families in multi-family housing paid less in taxes than other residents.

Manage the local real estates and architectural planning of the hood

• Decrease number of multi-family units from 10 to 4


• Build mixed income housing area:


• Renovate Pavilion


• Build Celebration Park II


• Revamp Celebration Park I


• Combine Celebration Park I and II


• Expand Modern Sculpture Park


• Renovate The Core

Hood Council Note: Mortgages II

After much complaint, the mortgage system has been altered.

After investigating the options and noting current technology Apple Valley will use the following system for mortgages.

Residents will use the Monique Payer/Payee Bills/Book for mortgages.

Mortgages will have a daily payment and must be paid within 42 simdays.

Families must have a minimum of 10% downpayment for thier home.

Current interest rate for all loans is 5%

The total amount of the mortgage will be calculated as:
( Amount of house - downpayment ) * (1 + interest rate)
(§20,000-§2,000)*1.05=§22,500 mortgage

The daily payment is calculated as:
mortgage amount/42 (rounded to nearest §10)
§22,500/42=§540 daily payment

The mortgage amount, interest rate and number of days remaining for the mortgage will be noted in each household's "bio" screen and maintained by the Financial Director.

All families that have mortgages less than five simdays old, their mortgages will automatically be recalculated using the new system.

Families are encouraged to meet with the Financial Director at the bank in order to discuss affordability based on daily salary and current debts.

Hood Council Note: Mortgages

A Mortgage system has been approved. After investigating the options and noting current technology Apple Valley will use the following system for mortgages.


Residents will use the Monique Payer/Payee Bills/Book for mortgages. Mortgages will have a daily payment and must be paid within 21 simdays. Families must have a minimum of 10% downpayment for thier home.


The total amount of the mortgage will be calculated as: ( Amount of house - downpayment ) * (1 + interest rate). The daily payment is calculated as: mortgage amount/# simdays. The mortgage amount, interest rate and number of days remaining for the mortgage will be noted in each household's "bio" screen and maintained by the Financial Director.


Families are encouraged to meet with the Financial Director at the bank in order to discuss affordability based on daily salary and current debts. Interest rates are based on your financial history and ability to pay.

Hood Council Note: Bank

Finally, the bank is complete...well, at least the construction is. There's the main lobby, ATM, and a small cubicle/office to meetings regarding financial discussions (college funding, mortgages, etc). In the lobby residents can also pick up bill payment invoices and books to keep track of regular payments, such as taxes, tithes, etc. Checkbooks and investment silver and gold will also be sold.

The bank offers these services:

Savings/Checking Accounts

Checkbooks (available for small fee, can send a check to sims in the neighborhood)

Mortgages***

Loans***

Credit Cards***

ATMs and Online Banking

Automatic Payments

***more information later***

We will open the doors soon, but we need to find a banker to manage it. I suppose I could do it, but...I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my job yet.

Hood Council Note: I'm the Financial Director

Since I have an anti-aging wavier, I now have the lifetime (or as soon as my wavier expires or I chose not to) position of Financial Director.

This term I plan to:

Local businesses and associated laws
Establish a program for New Small Business Owners:
Give new business owners $1000-$3000 credit towards purchase of a community lot.
Help business owners network with other small business owners in other hoods, perhaps the resurgance of the Small Business Conference.

Implement taxes and welfare support
Establish a program for Mortgage Loans:
Borrower must provide at least 10% down payment
Loans must be paid off within 21 simdays (three simweeks)
Payments will be twice a week (simTuesday and simThursday)

Increase rental fees:
Increase rental fees on the Starr Grey Townhomes (two-2 unit townhomes on McIntosh) due to promixity to main strip.

Change tax structure
Instead of $750/simweek per residental lot, increase it to $750/simweek per family. Removes loophole where families in multi-family housing paid less in taxes than other residents.

Manage the local real estates and architectural planning of the hood
Decrease number of multi-family units from 10 to 4:
Condemn and bulldoze the Fuji Flats (three two unit multi-family units)
One lot is ready for demolition, give other families 3 simdays (until simMonday) and $1000 for inconvience to find new housing (total $4,000)
Would decrease rental income for the hood, however would promote home ownership
Still maintain the Starr Grey Townhomes (two-2 unit townhomes on McIntosh) and AVBH (4 rooms available for rent)

Build mixed income housing area:
Build three small lot homes on Fuji Court. At least two homes must be at least two bedroom and one bath, less than $15,000, other must be bewteen $15,000 and $30,000. At least two homes one story, one home two story.

Renovate Pavilion
Renovate skating rink so more sims can enter rink to skate.

Build Celebration Park II
Small grill area, playground, bathroom on 2x3 lot

Revamp Celebration Park I
Demolish grill and playground area to create more open space. Add chess set, focus more on the lake and fishing activities

Expand Modern Sculpture Park
Demolish small 1x3 lot and build on larger 2x3 lot
Buy Euphoria from Tatiana Garris, use additional land space for the new park
Will increase value of new homes on Fuji Court


Renovate The Core
The Core is too bulky and hinders views of main street (McIntosh)
Demolish 2nd level.
Create 5-9x8 office spaces for the following retailors: The Green Paw Pet Shop; Gears & Beyond; Snips; Wearable Art; I-Scream Icecream & Pizza
Retailors are paying for renovation-no funding needed from hood council, only approval on final design.

Hood Council Note: Hood Council Report

The new term will begin soon and Ayanna asked us all to submit a council report of our tasks and recommendations.



My goals for the term:

• Build upon the current business laws: done, a very intensive law has been drafted and approved



• Revisit taxes and find an easy system to deduct taxes and fees: done, taxes are now taken every simMonday. Residents must obtain thier payment invoices by this simFriday and set-up the payments to the hood council. This makes the payments automatic, need to determine where the payments will go.



• Establish a program for Small Business Loans: not done



• Build a Community Memorial Gardens: done and successful



• Revamp Celebration Park: done, but a bit crowded with the new features, may have to build a second park

Recommendations:

• Might need to divide tasks a bit more. It is difficult to manage the real estate of the hood, especially things like parks, however do not see a clear way to divide the tasks as of yet, except to have more resident input or maybe hire a part-time consultant to control the real estate issues of the hood since this isn't a full time issue.



• Financial Director Tasks: Oversee hood finances, implement taxes and welfare support. Coordinate local trades and import based on needs of the community, oversee local businesses and associated laws, collect taxes and fees from residents.



• Real Estate Consultant Tasks:Manage community lots, construction of new homes and destruction of homes. Manage the local real estates and architectural planning of the hood, including any community lots, general beautifying and landscape community gardens, recreation areas and health of animals and native plants.